Anitya Doula Services’ Post

“How to Get Your Affairs in Order” – Online – Thursday, March 14, 2024 (2 pm – 3:30 pm central time) This program will provide suggestions for when a doctor says it’s time to “get your affairs in order.” We will examine a checklist for the dying and how many of the items on such a checklist can be done years before a diagnosis. Upon completion of this program, the participant will be able to: ∙ Understand how planning for the end of life leads to a better death someday and a better life right now. ∙ Recognize the importance of making plans, writing them down, and sharing them with others. ∙ Identify actions that reduce fears and anxiety. ∙ Recognize the ways that death doulas, care teams, elder care attorneys, and loved ones help support people at the end of life. The link will be emailed to you before the session. This is available for 1.5 CEUs through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. I’d also welcome caregivers, patients, and curious participants. Please join us! Each session also includes an “Ask a Doula” Q&A at the end where I’ll answer all your questions. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJXu_GKY

“How to Get Your Affairs in Order” – Online – Thursday, December 14, 2023 (2 pm – 3:30 pm central time) This program will provide suggestions for when a doctor says it’s time to “get your affairs in order.” We will examine a checklist for the dying and how many of the items on such a checklist can be done years before a diagnosis. Upon completion of this program, the participant will be able to: ∙ Understand how planning for the end of life leads to a better death someday and a better life right now. ∙ Recognize the importance of making plans, writing them down, and sharing them with others. ∙ Identify actions that reduce fears and anxiety. ∙ Recognize the ways that death doulas, care teams, elder care attorneys, and loved ones help support people at the end of life. The link will be emailed to you before the session. This is available for 1.5 CEUs through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. I’d also welcome caregivers, patients, and curious participants. Please join us! Each session also includes an “Ask a Doula” Q&A at the end where I’ll answer all your questions. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gPH_xEFM

“VSED: A Peaceful, Legal Way to Die On Your Own Terms” – Online – Thursday, June 20, 2024 (6 pm – 7:30 pm central time) This is available for 1.5 CEUs through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. I’d also welcome caregivers, patients, and curious participants. Please join us! Each session also includes an “Ask a Doula” Q&A at the end where I’ll answer all your questions. Description: I will discuss Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) and how, with the proper support, this is a peaceful and comfortable way to hasten death that’s legal in all 50 states and supported by every major world religion. Upon completion of this program, you will: ∙ Understand VSED and the parameters under which it is a legal option. ∙ Identify the ways it is different from Medical Aid in Dying and Assisted Dying. ∙ Recognize how to support someone through the VSED process. ∙ Understand the importance of planning ahead and utilizing the proper support before making this choice. ∙ Recognize how death doulas, care teams, and loved ones can support clients when they make this informed choice to hasten death through VSED. The link will be emailed to you before the session. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gEvzTxuV

It is now officially proven that families heal and stay healed when clients attend Legacy. How to read the graph- The numbers range from 2 to -2. With 2 being high clinical distress and all values below 0 meaning that the family system has returned to the healthy range. Families entering Legacy tend to have a value around 1 (clinical distress) and finish Legacy around -1 (well into the healthy range). In addition, families stay in the healthy range for at least a year after completing treatment.

Families are confused by palliative care because we (the collective we) keep referring to it as end-of-life care, and the messaging is 95% about planning for death instead of the quality of LIFE being lived. The quotable Shawshank Redemption rings loudly: "Get busy living, or get busy dying." The term palliative is not approachable for understanding... I'd love to see a rebrand to medically-complex care, or something to that effect. Painting all kids on the severe neurological impact spectrum as imminently dying, when many of them live long, high-quality lives does a disservice to their dignity and personhood. We must be careful with the intention and unintended impact of messaging if we want to build a better comprehensive approach to caring for medically complex children and their families. Care planning, considerations for advanced directives, succession planning, and financial planning are all very important considerations, but let's not lose focus of the terms LIVING and LIFE. #PediatricPalliativeCare #SoapboxoftheDay #QualityofLife

In a recent interview on CBS8, Dr. Bob Uslander of Empowered Endings shared insights into California's End of Life Option Act and its profound impact on terminally ill patients discussing: ✔️ Benefits of California's End of Life Option Act: highlighting its positive impact on patients. ✔️ Empowered Endings' Holistic Approach: supporting patients and families to make the journey as gentle and empowering as possible. ✔️ Navigating Ethical Debates: addressing curiosities and criticisms head-on. ✔️ Challenges and Controversies: delving into the ongoing debate around Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). By staying informed, together we can contribute to shaping an open dialogue around this important topic and ensure each individual facing end-of-life decisions receives kindness and comprehensive support throughout their journey. 🙏 You can find links to the full interview and article in News & Media on the Empowered Endings website: https://buff.ly/47wDt4B #EmpoweredEndings #EndOfLifeOptions #CompassionateChoices #DeathwithDignity #SupportiveCare

Today is World Children's Day! 🧒🌍 #ForEveryChild Living with a rare disease presents unique challenges for children. It can mean navigating a world of medical complexities, frequent hospital visits, and a great deal of uncertainty. As a community, it's crucial to acknowledge the specific needs of these young individuals. They require not only medical care but also emotional and educational support to thrive. The journey is not theirs alone; it affects their families, caregivers, and educators, who all play a vital role in their lives. 🤝 On this World Children’s Day, we advocate for comprehensive support systems and policies that cater to the unique needs of children living with rare diseases. We call for more research, better access to safe and effective treatments, and increased awareness to ensure that these children receive the best possible care and have the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ess5jpj4 #ForEveryChild #RareDiseases #ChildHealth #Support #Awareness

A wish makes a lasting impact! 🌟 Medical practitioners agree that granting a wish can empower children to fight their critical illnesses with renewed hope and strength. Together, we can be the spark that ignites their courage and resilience. #MakeAWishCanada #StrengthInWishes 👉 Learn the different ways you can make a difference here: makeawish.ca/getinvolved

Here's what we are talking about this week.

Palliative Care:Hope and Comfort for Patients: An approach that aims to improve the quality of life for patients (both adults and children’s) and their families by addressing their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Read More: https://lnkd.in/egDmGuKJ